'Mexican stand-offs' in this busy Kidsgrove street

In our latest feature on Kidsgrove we look at what can be done to solve problems of shoppers parking on one of Kidsgrove's busiest shopping streets - and the road rage it sometimes provokes between drivers.

“There’s been one or two Mexican stand-offs between the cars,” says hairdresser Chris Taylor.

Drivers parking on the double yellow lines in Market Street, one of the two main shopping streets, is an issue fairly peculiar to Kidsgrove.

Cars can be found parked on the restricted zone at all times of day, despite the free car parks nearby at Heathcote Street and King Street – and traders say it frequently causes clashes between drivers.

Many free parking spaces are quickly filled up by commuters who use the town’s railway station, while some elderly shoppers have difficulty using the nearby car park at the top of a bank. Others find it convenient to park outside one of the takeaways while they wait for their food.

Despite monthly visits from a parking warden – when large numbers of cars are generally ticketed – shoppers soon return to the restricted area.

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However, a solution could be on its way. A number of traders believe the problem could be solved by restricting access to Market Street.

Staffordshire County Council is currently considering making changes to the busy road layout around Kidsgrove town centre to alleviate congestion, which would include a one-way system for Market Street.

Market Street in Kidsgrove

Mr Taylor, who runs Razer’s Edge, on Market Street, said: “It can be a bit crazy and something needs to be done. People drive up and down like a racetrack and there are old people crossing the road, it’s only a matter of time before someone is hurt.

“The articulated trucks delivering to Home and Bargains have trouble getting out because of the parked cars, then they are stuck there for however long it takes to track down who owns the car and clear the road.”

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“I’ve been here for 32 years and we have talked about the parking on Market Street since then. We’ve talked about making it pedestrian only – but the town isn’t busy enough – and about having parking spaces just for delivery.

“We have got traffic wardens in the borough, but they can’t work 24/7.

“It should be a one-way street, that would be the perfect solution. ”

Michelle Harper, partner in The Hair Team, on Market Street, said: “It causes a lot of road rage and I have seen someone get run over. One time two cars were face to face. A lady crossed out behind one of the cars and at that moment he thrust into reverse and knocked her flying.

Market Street in Kidsgrove

“The majority of people who do park are not blue badge holders, they just can’t be bothered to park further away. They go in one of the fast food outlets.

“But with people parking on the street, there’s nowhere for other drivers to pull in.

“They have been talking about it for years. I think it should be one-way, then they could get rid of the double yellow lines.”

Josephine Locke, chairwoman of Go Kidsgrove, said: “No-one takes any notice of the double yellow lines. There are cars all the way along.

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“The borough council have a warden two days a month and everyone gets a ticket, but then they are back again.”

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth, who represents Kidsgrove, added: “It’s not a safe street. There are a number of cars which park illegally, then everyone drives slowly.

“Although there are a lot of parking spaces, and there will be even more when the train station car park is extended, the bank where the other car parks are is quite challenging and there are people who struggle with the hill.”

Market Street in Kidsgrove

Helen Fisher, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council said: “We do carry out regular observations in the area and in recent times have stepped up patrols in response to complaints from residents.

“Anyone with concerns about parking on existing restrictions in the area can also request additional observations by contacting the Clear Streets team.

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“We are also exploring some options around parking on Market Street as part of a wider scheme to reduce air pollution on the A50 Liverpool Road. These are only proposals at this stage and consultation with local residents and businesses would be held before any changes would be made.”

Those changes would include making Market Street one-way, with traffic flowing east to west. The double yellow lines would be replaced by disabled parking bays and delivery zones.